More than music
tracy Ann Wong
Glasgow School of Art
What if spaces for musicians were designed not for perfect performance, but for the freedom to fail? More Than Music explores psychological safety as an architectural condition for creativity, connection and play. Drawing on my experience as a violinist in an ensemble, it proposes spaces varying in energy and intimacy, where light, volume, material and acoustics shape how musicians interact. Rehearsal becomes exchange, and audience becomes participant. By dissolving traditional hierarchies of stage, genre and skill, More Than Music creates informal environments where musicians can play more freely, and connect more deeply. The project was developed alongside a hybrid documentary film essay combining rehearsal footage, interviews and personal narration. The film introduces the motivations behind the project through an emotional and engaging narrative, while also serving as a tool for first-hand research, allowing my observations to directly inform design decisions.